Method of Material Framing Using Cross-Threaded Members

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an advanced framing methodology that involves the assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing whereby each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members. The resulting assembly behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a method of layering materials such as lumber, steel, aluminum, plastics or any structural material used in construction that can withstand bending, tensile or compressive stresses wherein the inventive method can provide clear span and cantilever solutions between point or line reactions without the need for intermediate beams or other standard support bolstering methods or materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

CTM (Cross-Threaded-Member) is an advanced framing methodology that involves the assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing where each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members. The resulting assembly behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.

A CTM system can provide clear span and cantilever solutions between point or line reactions without the need for intermediate beams. The strength of the system is based on materials used, member geometry, and shear resistance strategy between members.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system wherein building or architectural structures can span long dimensions and cantilever without requiring additional structural support.

Physical and digital models of example CTM systems have been developed, analyzed and tested. Digital models studied the system loads and performance characteristics both internal and external to the system using finite element analysis. A digital model was also developed to analyze and corroborate test data of a physical scale model built and loaded to failure. Results of digital and physical performance data were in alignment within expectations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the data and easily understand the process and results.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention most closely corresponds with USPTO Class E04B wherein Class E04B relates to construction including buildings, walls, floors structures and sub-class 1/38 relating to connections for building structures in general. The inventive method applies essentially to any form of structure construction as relates to walls, floors, ceilings, but is not limited to those structures. The method can be applied to creation of a table as well as a roof for example, so limitations or specifics not accounted for in the MPC should be considered since the materials themselves are not limited to wood, metal, plastic, etc.

In its simplest form, the invention relates to an advanced framing methodology that involves the assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing whereby each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members. The resulting assembly behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.

THE INVENTION Summary, Objects and Advantages

It is well known in any type of construction that a builder must create structures that are sound from a design and engineering standpoint, but still aesthetically pleasing to a consumer. Typically, the load a surface will bear dictates the former, but may not align with the aesthetics a consumer desires. For instance, a consumer may want a large room without any type of column or floor to ceiling members. In the present art, these spans are dictated by basic load limit engineering. A long or wide span without traditional supports cannot be easily achieved in the current art based on simple material responses to live and dead loads and their resulting bending, compressive and tensile stresses. Deflection or other such defects will hinder the stability, performance or code compliance of a structure. The inventive process allows for greater spans between supports, be they floor, roof or wall assemblies, and without the need for additional support modalities such as beams, columns or other supporting modalities.

In structural analysis loads are generally classified as dead loads or live loads. Dead loads, also known as permanent or static loads, are those predominantly associated with the weight of the structure itself, and as such remain stationary and relatively constant over time. Dead loads may include the weight of any structural elements, permanent non-structural partitions, immovable fixtures such as plasterboard, built-in cupboards, and so on.

Live loads, also known as imposed loads, are usually temporary, changeable and dynamic. These include loads such as occupants, furniture and other equipment, and vehicle traffic. The intensity of these loads may vary depending on the time of day, for example an office building may experience increased live loads during week-day work hours but much smaller loads during the night or at weekends. The inventive process applies essentially to any application where Dead and Live loads result in bending, tensile, compressive and shear stresses.

The CTM system allows for virtually limitless design configurations for the designer based on its applicability with such a wide range of materials and geometries. A true revolution over conventional framing practices as well as panelized systems, CTM is likely to replace a proportion of these framing systems over time and is likely to become the preferred framing practice for a variety of design contexts. Cross Threaded Member spacing and angle between CTM layers may be variable or uniform depending on engineering requirements. Angles between alternating CTM layers may be orthogonal or at any other angle other than parallel based on engineering and system design requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in further detail by reference to three (3) drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective of the CTM method.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the CTM method.

FIG. 3 is a side (section) perspective of the CTM method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective of four layers of CTM members wherein each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below. In the illustrated embodiment it is important to note that the material of each member may be wood, metal, plastic, or essentially any structural building materials. By example we will say that the Figure demonstrates wood members making up the floor assembly of a structure.

Further to FIG. 1 , the layering of members creates a cross-thread effect. In this embodiment, there are four CTM member layers. CTM member 10, illustrated here as the top layer of the material structure, is layered above and aligned with CTM member 20. CTM member 30 is layered above and aligned CTM layer 40, illustrated here as the bottom layer of the material structure. CTM layers 10 and 20 are at an angle to CTM layers 30 and 40, in this case, 90 degrees, and repeat across the structure, in this case, uniformly. Affixed between CTM members 10 and 20 using any attachment system that can transfer the resulting shear stresses 100 between the CTM members are sheer force resisting members 50. Similarly, sheer force resisting members also occur between CTM members 30 and 40. In this example, these members are located between alternate CTM member intersections, however the placement and number of these sheer force resisting members would be dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. In this example, two alternating layers will essentially be facing the same direction whether the structure is horizontal or vertical, with two layers alternating in the orthogonal direction. Alternating the layers creates a cross-threaded effect and connecting them with the sheer force resisting members results in a two-way structural system. When used as a floor or roof assembly, this allows for the elimination of dropped beams, headers, and other supporting members below the assembly as compared to other joist or truss systems. Further to FIG. 1 , the load of the example structure section is illustrated by a load connection 60 as determined by engineering design, and load reaction at any chosen load bearing element 70, neither of which are specifically a part of the CTM system, but are necessary for its support.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the CTM method. In this Fig CTM member 10 and CTM member 30 are visible as placed above CTM members 20 and 40 respectively which are hidden in this view. Also hidden in view but illustrated by dashed lines are the sheer force resisting members affixed to the CTM members 50. In this Fig the size, spec and spacing of CTM members is generally illustrated at an orthogonal orientation with uniformly repeated members (80). As in FIG. 1 the load reaction at intersection CTM members is visible at the load bearing element 70 and naturally relates to the load connections 60 also as shown in FIG. 1 . Again, the placement and number of the CTM members and the sheer force resisting members would be dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. It is important to again note that additional CTM members may be added in a similarly cross-threaded manner depending on engineering requirements. The method simply reproduces relating to design requirements.

FIG. 3 is a side (section) perspective of the CTM method. Again, an illustration of the CTM members is shown in layered position. Members are layered as in FIG. 1 wherein CTM layers 10 and 20 are at an angle to CTM layers 30 and 40. Further to this Figure, the sheer force resisting members 50 are in placement and numbers as dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. The load connection 60 is also as determined by engineering design. Fastening of CTM layer members to resist shear forces between members and transfer loads through Members with solid blocking between members 100 may be accomplished by, but not limited to, bonding to members with adhesives, being fastened to members with nails, screws, dowels, pins or similar fasteners, fastened to members with plated connections or welded, or cast or similarly bonded depending on member material.

Finally, cavities between CTM layers and shear force resisting components 90 allow for other systems to occupy without compromising structural integrity of CTM system based on engineering design and allowance to penetrate shear force resisting systems. Thus, electrical wiring, air ducting, insulating, among other systems are easily installed through the cavities between the CTM layers. The CTM method offers flexibility of design, conservation of materials and a stronger system providing true two-way system characteristics with no need for dropped beams. One and two-way cantilevers are possible without need for dropped beams or complex traditional framing methods. Multi-span framing of a CTM system across multiple columns is also possible without need for dropped beams or headers. Based on applied loading and engineering design of member geometry and specification, longer spans are achievable with less material than required in the present art. 

1. A framing methodology wherein the cross-threaded assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing where each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members, wherein sheer force resisting members are placed therebetween resulting in an assembly which behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.
 2. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein angles between alternating cross-threaded member layers may be orthogonal or at any other angle other than parallel based on engineering and system design requirements.
 3. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein framing members may be comprised of common building materials including, but not limited to wood, metals, plastics, concrete; or any known building materials that can withstand tensile, compressive and shear loads.
 4. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein at least two framing members are used and wherein the number of members are multiplied or stacked without limit and based upon engineering designs, force and load requirements of a structure, and wherein the layering or cross-threading can be duplicated without limit to size or height of a structure.
 5. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein sheer force resistant members may be solid blocks of the same or different materials as the layered members and which blocks are affixed between member layers to transfer the shear forces between the cross-threaded members in order to get the bending strength and structural capacity per a given design to carry a particular loading condition relative to that design.
 6. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein fastening of layer members to resist shear forces between members and transfer loads can be accomplished by bonding members with adhesives, nails, screws, dowels, pins or similar fasteners, plated connections, welding cast or similarly bonded depending on member material and typical adhesion requirements of that material.
 7. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein cavities may be designed to exist between cross-threaded layers between alternating shear force resisting components which can allow other systems to occupy the cavities without compromising structural integrity of the system based on engineering design and allowance to penetrate shear force resisting systems, and wherein examples may be electrical wires, air ducting, or other internal indicia depending on the design and purpose of a structure utilizing the methodology. 